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Joseph Crnko, Music Director
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Mr. Crnko is in his 26th year as Music Director of the Northwest Choirs. During his tenure, the Northwest Choirs has grown from a small 50-member group with several concerts a year, to a vital arts organization of 200 members in seven progressively graded ensembles, an annual schedule of more than 40 concerts, a biannual international tour program, and a schedule of professional studio recording engagements. In this time, the Northwest Choirs has established itself as a prominent member of the Pacific Northwest performing arts community sharing the stage regularly with the Seattle Symphony, in addition to other area professional arts organizations.
Additionally, Mr. Crnko serves as Associate Conductor for Choral Activities with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. In this capacity, he is responsible for the Seattle Symphony Chorale.
Mr. Crnko regularly conducts orchestral and choral recording sessions for movie and video game soundtracks. Among his many projects are the films O, Boondock Saints, The Ringer and The Celestine Prophecy, and such video games as Halo, Medal Of Honor, and Age Of Mythology. Prior to his work with the Northwest Choirs, Mr. Crnko served for five seasons as music director and conductor for Civic Light Opera in Seattle, conducting numerous productions. He has also served as music director for productions with Alaska Light Opera Theatre, Evergreen Theatre Conservatory, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and the Professional Actors Training Program at the University of Washington. Mr. Crnko lives in Seattle with his wife, Wendee, and their two children, Katharine and Nick.
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Maria Johnson, Executive Director, Intermediate & Early Preparatory Director
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Now in her 15th year with the Northwest Choirs, Maria Johnson holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Western Washington University where she studied voice with Marianne Weltmann. While living in Russia from 1996-2000, Ms. Johnson served as music and drama instructor for the Anglo-American School in St. Petersburg, Russia.
In addition to her work with the Northwest Choirs, Ms. Johnson is the Music Director for the Endolyne Children’s Choir in West Seattle. An accomplished vocalist, Ms. Johnson frequently performs as a session singer for movie and video game soundtracks. She has appeared on recordings for such movies as Angel Eyes, The Celestine Prophec, Millions, Novocain, and the popular video games Age of Empires, Halo II & III, and Medal of Honor. Ms. Johnson also appears locally as a soloist for numerous events.
Ms. Johnson is a graduate of Vocalpoint! Seattle, formerly known as the Northwest Youthchoir. She lives in West Seattle with her husband. |
Jacob Winkler, Associate Music Director
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Jacob Winkler received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Washington, where he studied piano with Holly Herrmann and Marc Seales, and conducting with Tim Salzman and Peter Eros. He earned his Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of Washington in 2003. Mr. Winkler recently served as music director for the Seattle Children’s Theater production of Peter and the Wolf. He also was the arranger and music director of the UW Opera production of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. An accomplished vocalist, Mr. Winkler frequently performs as a session singer for movie soundtrack recording sessions.
Mr. Winkler entered the Northwest Boychoir in 1984 and later graduated to Vocalpoint! Seattle. As a member of the choirs, he participated in two international tours, three Christmas recordings, and numerous Vocalpoint! Seattle productions. Mr. Winkler boasts 25 continuous years of involvement with the Northwest Choirs. Mr. Winkler lives in Seattle with his wife, Jessie, and son, Leo. |
Benjamin Kromholtz, Advanced and Preparatory Choir Director
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Ben Kromholtz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Washington. In addition to his positions with the Northwest Choirs, Mr. Kromholtz teaches choir in the Northshore School District at Skyview and Northshore junior high schools. He currently serves as director of the Northshore School District Honor Choir. Since joining the Northwest Choir staff in 1997, Mr. Kromholtz has been a staff accompanist and director of the advanced and preparatory choirs.
He is a graduate of the Northwest Boychoir and Vocalpoint! Seattle, and has 22 years of ongoing involvement with the Northwest Choirs. Mr. Kromholtz currently resides in Bothell, with his wife, Lisa, his daughters, Gracie and Annabel and his stepchildren, Alex and Ruby. |
Beth Reichgott, Administrative Coordinator
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Beth Reichgott received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Ithaca College, where she studied with Elizabeth Koch. She recently finished a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at California State University, Northridge, studying with Dr. Deanna Murray. During that time, she sang in various settings including choral, opera, and musical theater. She holds teaching certificates in the states of Washington, New York, and California, and has taught music both privately and in the classroom.
Miss Reichgott is a graduate of Girls Prep and Vocalpoint! Seattle, and currently lives in Phinney Ridge. |
Dana Dysart, Project Coordinator
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| Dana Dysart holds a bachelor of music degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston where she specialized in arranging. She’s worked for local recording studios as an administrator, composer and arranger. Along with her husband Dave she owned and operated a music production business writing and producing commercial music projects. She also worked for the Northwest Choirs for 10 years as a Prep Choir Director and an Assistant Teacher for Intermediate Choir. She now works as the lead Uniform Coordinator and Box Office person as well as perfoming other administrative duties. She resides in Bellevue with her husband Dave, son Benjamin and daughter Chloe. |
Mindy Patras, Staff Accompanist
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Mindy Patras graduated with a degree in Classical Piano Performance from the Cornish College of the Arts, where she studied piano with Roger Nelson and Peter Mack. She is staff accompanist at Seattle Pacific University where she accompanies vocal, choral and instrumental recitals and concerts. Most recently, Ms. Patras served as accompanist for the debut season for Mirinesse, a local women’s choir under the direction of Beth Ann Bonnecroy and Rebecca Rottsolk. She has also enjoyed playing with many musical theater orchestras around town, including Village Theater and Civic Light Opera. Ms. Patras currently works with the Intermediate, Advanced, and Performing Choirs as a teaching assistant and accompanist. Ms. Patras lives in West Seattle.
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Sheryl Linders, Staff Accompanist
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| Sheryl Linders holds a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Colorado. As an undergraduate at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota she studied piano with Dr. Gordon Howell, and served as accompanist to vocal students. She taught school in Colorado, and currently teaches piano privately and accompanies choirs at two junior high schools in the Northshore School District. An accomplished pianist, Ms. Linders is an active accompanist in the Seattle area. She lives with her husband Mark in Bothell, WA, where they have raised their three sons David, Jonathon, and Michael. |
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